Pat Cummins is caught up in VERY embarrassing scenes during ‘the most awkward trophy presentation ever’ at the World Cup
- Cummins received a trophy from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- Aussies won the sixth World Cup with a six-wicket win over India
- Fans were very impressed with the ceremony in Ahmedabad
Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins looked embarrassed and confused as he became embroiled in chilling scenes during the World Cup trophy presentation on Monday.
The skipper was left alone on the stage as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles abruptly left the stage at the ceremony in Ahmedabad following Australia’s stunning six-wicket win over India.
Cummins appeared surprised as he stood awkwardly on stage with trophy in hand as fireworks went off behind him, watching sheepishly for more than 30 seconds as his teammates shook hands with politicians from the stage.
Cummins was left alone after receiving the World Cup trophy and spent a while looking around sheepishly before his teammates joined him.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented the silverware to Cummins at the Ahmedabad stadium that bears his name – but the ceremony took a very embarrassing turn when he and Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles left the stage.
The rest of the squad eventually joined him and started an overjoyed celebration to celebrate the country’s sixth World Cup title, but the scenes touched the nerves of cricket fans, who took to social media to express their surprise at the scenes.
“Hahaha most awkward trophy presentation of all time,” one fan posted.
“The most awkward trophy presentation in sporting history,” wrote cricket author Peter Della Penna.
“They burned 99% of the fireworks when Modi presented the trophy solo to Cummins and they continue to shoot as Cummins stands alone on stage while Modi goes off stage to shake hands with the rest of the Australian team.”
“That’s a bloody awful trophy ceremony. Cummins only left with the trophy the way he did because of the damn politicians. How can cricket get it so wrong?’ added another viewer, while others called the scenes “bloody rude” and “disgraceful.”
Australia’s victorious stars celebrate after a trophy presentation that some fans called the most awkward they’d ever seen
Cummins and fellow fast bowler Mitchell Starc (pictured together) were instrumental in the victory as Australia restricted the hosts to just 240 all out
Travis Head was immense for Australia, taking an incredible catch to dismiss Rohit Sharma and hitting 137 off just 120 balls in a match-winning display
Other fans pointed out that the Indian team did not remain on the field for the presentation, and that their shattered fans had also left the stadium en masse by the time the silverware was presented to the Australian captain.
Former England Test captain Michael Vaughan was less than impressed at the end of the tournament.
“I didn’t like seeing the Indian team stay on the field to watch the Aussies lift the trophy,” he posted on X, before later deleting the post.
India came into the final as the only unbeaten side at the World Cup but were edged out as they became the only hosts since the West Indies in 2007 to fail to win the premier trophy in limited-overs cricket.
Cummins’ decision to bowl first was a masterstroke as Australia choked and tore through the Indian batting line-up to restrict them to 240 all out.
After losing three wickets relatively cheaply, the Aussies steadied the ship and raced to victory with seven overs to spare thanks to the 192-run partnership between Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head, who hit a whopping 137 from just 120 balls.